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England secured a comfortable 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in League B Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, September 7.
With Lee Carsley in the hot seat after former boss Gareth Southgate vacated his role, many were eager to see how England would line up for this game. Despite not having the likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer available for this game, the manager fielded a strong lineup.
The Three Lions started the game positively and looked to put Ireland on the backfoot from the get-go. In a strange turn of events, Declan Rice, who had made three appearances for the Irish team before switching allegiances to England, opened the scoring in the 11th minute and refused to celebrate his goal.
Rice then provided an assist for another former Ireland player, albeit at youth levels, as Jack Grealish made it 2-0 in the 26th minute with a composed finish. The visitors attempted nine shots with five of those on target but were unlucky to not score more as they led by two goals at half-time.
England continued the onslaught in the second period as they had 71% possession of the ball. With this, they also managed seven shots, with four of those on target. However, they were unable to score past Liverpool custodian Caiomhin Kelleher, who had a decent second half.
Both Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon had decent chances to score in the second period but could not put their shots past the 'keeper. Towards the end of the contest, England manager Carsley made multiple changes as he brought on players to give them valuable minutes.
Ireland made multiple changes as well but were unable to get back into the game despite having a couple golden chances come Sammie Szmodics' way. The Three Lions won the match comfortably at the end, and with that said, let's take a look at their player ratings.
England Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford - 7/10
Pickford had very little to do throughout the game and was called upon to make just one save. He distributed the ball with 96% accuracy.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8/10
Alexander-Arnold passed the ball with 87% accuracy, including two key passes and seven long balls to expand England's attack on either wing. He also won three duels.
Marc Guehi - 7.5/10
Guehi was solid at the back as he won seven duels, making three clearances and one block. He also passed the ball with 91% accuracy.
Harry Maguire - 7/10
Maguire had a decent game as he won five of his six duels, making three clearances and one interception.
Levi Colwill - 7/10
Colwill had a good game as well, but was booked for a foul in the second half. He won six duels, making two clearances and one interception.
Kobbie Mainoo - 6.5/10
Mainoo made a poor start to the contest and was booked within minutes. However, he won three duels and completed two dribbles.
Declan Rice - 9/10
Rice opened the scoring for his nation with a sublime finish to make it 1-0 after 11 minutes. He then setup Jack Grealish for England's second goal after 26 minutes. Rice passed the ball with 95% accuracy, won six duels and also played three key passes.
Jack Grealish - 8/10
Grealish scored England's second goal and looked sharp on the pitch from the start. He passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including two key passes. Grealish also won five of his six duels.
Bukayo Saka - 7.5/10
Saka looked slightly off-colour in this game at times but still managed to pull three decent chances out of his hat. One of his shots was on target, while the other two were narrowly wide.
Harry Kane - 6/10
Kane had a subpar game for England, attempting four shots, with just one of those on target. He also missed two big chances to score, including an unmarked header in the first half.
Anthony Gordon - 7.5/10
The Newcastle United winger was sharp and was raring to have a go at the Irish defenders. He attempted three shots on target, two key passes and also won four of his five duels.
Substitutes
Morgan Gibbs-White - 6.5/10
He came on in the 77th minute but was unable to make an impact on the proceedings.
Angel Gomes - 6.5/10
Gomes had a decent outing having come on late in the second half.
Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen & John Stones - N/A
The trio came on with less than five minutes left on the clock and did not play for long enough to warrant a rating.
